About the service
What does Tree Loppers Scarborough do? We arrange tree lopping, removal, pruning, hedge trimming, stump grinding and storm clean-ups for homes and small properties in Scarborough and the City of Stirling suburbs nearby, including Trigg, Doubleview, Karrinyup, North Beach, Watermans Bay, Wembley Downs, Gwelup and Churchlands. Work is quoted and carried out by independent local contractors.
Is there a charge for using the service? No. There is no fee to you for the referral or the quote. You pay the contractor for any work you choose to go ahead with, on the terms in their written quote.
Are the contractors licensed and insured? We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. Ask to see a current certificate of public liability insurance before work starts, and check that the name on it matches the business that quoted you.
Who do I contact if something goes wrong? The contractor who did the work, in the first instance, because the agreement is with them. Let us know as well, so we can follow it up and decide whether to keep referring work to them.
Council and verge trees
Can I prune or remove the tree on my verge? Verge (street) trees in Scarborough and the surrounding suburbs are managed by the City of Stirling. They should not be pruned or removed by a householder or a private contractor. Contact the City if a verge tree is causing a problem.
Do I need approval to remove a tree on my land? For many private gardens there is no approval step, but there are exceptions. Heritage-listed places, trees retained as a condition of an earlier development approval, and some trees in local planning areas may be protected. Rules can also change. Check with the City of Stirling before booking a removal if you are unsure.
What about trees in bushland reserves or parks next to my property? Trees on public land belong to the council or the state, even if they overhang your fence. Contact the City of Stirling, or the relevant agency for land it does not manage, rather than cutting them yourself.
Safety and power lines
There is a branch touching the power line to my house. Who deals with it? Do not touch it. Tell us when you enquire, and the contractor will advise. Western Power sets the rules on who can work near its network, and some work close to lines can only be done by specially authorised workers. If a line is down or damaged, keep clear and contact Western Power.
Is it safe to stand under a tree that has cracked? No. Keep clear of the area below any cracked, split or hung-up branch and keep children and pets away until it has been assessed.
Timing
When is the best time of year for tree work? Most work can be done year-round. Many owners book pruning and reductions in late autumn, before the stronger winter fronts arrive. Very hot spells are less suitable for heavy pruning. Some species have preferred windows.
How soon can the work be done? It depends on the contractor's schedule and how urgent the job is. Dangerous trees are prioritised. Routine work is usually booked for a mutually convenient date after you accept the quote.
On the day
Do I need to move my car? Yes, if it is parked anywhere near the work area or the access path. The contractor will let you know where trucks and the chipper need to go.
Will there be noise? Chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders are loud. Work is done in daytime, and it is a nice gesture to let your neighbours know.
What happens to the green waste? Usually it is chipped on site and taken away. If you want mulch for your garden, ask for it to be left. Logs can sometimes be left cut to length.
What about the polyphagous shot-hole borer? Perth is under a quarantine response for this pest, managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. It can affect how wood from some trees is moved and disposed of. Contractors working locally should know the current rules.
Prices and quotes
Planning figures are on the cost guide. Every real price comes from an on-site look, because access, what sits under the tree and how the waste is handled change the job. For coastal species and conditions, see the coastal tree care guide.